Harvey Nichols seems to have gone back to ice age with their 2011 Christmas windows. At first glance this series of windows reminds me of those of Harrods’ Crystal Christmas windows. The use of cheap materials such as cling film, bubble wrap and polystyrene proves otherwise. The look is very artistic and thrown together with an unfinished feel. With the current economic climate in mind, there is no better time to do a Christmas like this.

 Just so you know: some of the colours may be different in reality as white balance is an artistic decision says my Photoshop book!

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I was seriously excited to find these, dare I say kinky, maids- windows. Miniature maid figures stand by loyally next to a LV classic bag, and life-size mannequin stands still holding a feather duster. These windows are visually fascinating, and are guaranteed to create a desire to buy!

Harvey Nichols never fail to surprise me with their imaginative displays. I couldn’t get my camera out quicker to capture these Dali-esque surreal windows. I find them hard to describe, they’re just plain crazy. So what I will do – I will let my photos do the talking.

This post looks at two things that I love: photography and visual display. I’ve always loved the 3 dimensional play between the backdrop, the oversized props, the mannequins, the text on the glass.. I find windows are often artistic and playful, where as a fashion photograph with a model gazing into the viewer’s eyes, can can stimulate a much more subtle yet a strong emotional message about the brand.

The advertising shots are usually the epitome of the marketing campaign so no wonder brands are using them in their windows. Large-scale photographs are most often used as backdrops, whether to set the scene with a location image or as a pure advertising shot.  During my window walks I discovered  innovative uses of merchandise and other elements in the windows that make the photographs seem a lot more three-dimensional.

I love the backlight behind the woman in the photo it really makes the photo come alive. Although I am not sure if the mannequin display is strong enough to compete with the background.

The advertising shots take centre stage in these two windows from Prada. The accessories featured in the shots are merchandised on the display bench. Very effective and commercial way to concentrate on the branding and ‘the’ -items.

The oversize lifestyle shot seems unrelated, but creates a mood for this window at Browns.

Alberta Ferretti. 

The beauty industry is all about branding and this window is very effective with a large black and white photo. The product itself is a minor detail.

In this Gucci-window you get a perfect illusion of a real staircase with part   photograph  and part build set.   

Perla printed their campaign photos on boxes, it makes the backdrop more interesting and three- dimensional.

Harvey Nichols are known to be creative  with their windows,  here they’re also using an image printed on different dimensions.  The photo is then dressed with jeans and accessories. Result is a fresh and funky window. 

Billionare are exhibiting their shoe range in classic frames, which almost says their products are art.

The New York metropolitan Museum are paying a tribute to british designer Alexander McQueen with exhibition titled ‘Savage Beauty’. It features creations from various collection down the years. Harvey Nichols were chosen to support the exhibition with their windows. The results are very simple yet effective placing all the attention on the garments themselves. The chosen mannequins are simply black and white, with strong poses. Simple white curtains hang as the back drops.

From the A/W 2008 collection The Girl Who Lived in a Tree.

“ Alexander McQueen was a creative genius, visionary and inspiration to the fashion world, and one who was, and still is, sorely missed. These windows provide us with an opportunity to salute both the man himself, and his spectacular body of work, which Sarah Burton continues to honour with her vision for the design house for the future. We shall miss Lee Alexander McQueen, but exhibitions such as these, help us to remember the sheer drama, masterful tailoring and tender, yet savage beauty the brand  unwaveringly represents to all who love it the world over” says Averyl Oates, the buying director for Harvey Nichols.

This dress and the piece underneath are both from the collection It’s Only A Game in  S/S 2005.

This gorgeaus gown is from the La Dame Bleue collection in S/S 2008.

This dress I love so much, it’s from a more recent S/S 2010 collection Platos’s Atlantis.

From the collection The Horne of Plenty A/W 2009.

The exhibition runs from 4th of May till the 7th of August 2011.

‘The ocean is a source of food, a place for recreation, and its beauty has inspired countless artists. But, it’s under threat – from over-fishing and poor fishing practices.’ This is the message that is laid out in the run of Selfridges’ Oxford Street windows. The results are a fun way of educating the customer, raising money for a good cause and reassuring the customer that Selfridges is an ethical store  to buy their fish from.

For more information about Project Ocean click here.

Photographs by Robert Gunning.

Robert Gunning studied Photography at Institute of Technology in Sligo, Ireland, following a move to London joined the famous Camera Club in Bowden street and assisted other photographers.

Robert also worked in Selfridges Head Office for many years shooting both A-list events promotions and supporting internal VM projects. 20 of Robert’s prints which were publicly exhibited at the stores recent huge Centenary Celebrations. Magazine and press publications of his images, included Hello, The Guardian, Evening Standard and The Washington Post.

Robert runs a photography business in London and offers clients very competitive quotes on bespoken photography projects, contact for more details.

www.robertgunningphotography.com

Liberty of London go bananas with these funky, country life inspired windows. Back walls are painted sky blue, and hay stacks stand as props to a mix of denim, flower prints and girly pinks that are seeing on the mannequins. I’m loving the fruity props and mishmash of the fashions.

It has been 30 years since the last royal wedding in England, so it is definitely a unique event. Prince William and Kate Middleton are to marry tomorrow, and here in London it really shows. There is bunting everywhere from streets to front doors of homes and people dressed in blue, red and white.  

The wedding offers a welcome commercial opportunity to shops pushing their home wears, fashions and souvenirs. It is also a celebration of all things British. Most windows featured here will have Union Jack flags in them one way or another.

Liberty of London and the classic Mini.

John Lewis, Oxford Street prepared its customers for the perfect summer party.

Bentalls, Kingston based its windows around typically British themes such as the street party and the summer festival.

Bhs, Oxford Street take this event as a great opportunity to promote their affordable wedding dresses.

A whole lot of bunting at Accesorize.

Monsoon.

TopShop and a Union Jack blouse.

Warehouse (top) and River Island both cater for fashion conscious street parties.

Apologies for being away for a while. Thailand! These luxurious but fun LV Bond Street windows were installed a while ago, but I thought I would share them anyway. Mannequins and accessories ride on golden rollercoasters. The windows were installed and produced by Chameleon Visual and the concept came from LV Paris creatives. The UK based company started working with LV when the grand New Bond Street store opened in 2009.